Environment

Relating to septic systems and the environmental quality advisory committee; to amend and reenact sections 23‑35‑02, 23‑35‑08, 23.1‑01‑03, and 23.1‑17‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the department of environmental quality, boards of health, and public health units; to repeal sections 23‑35‑02.2 and 23‑35‑02.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the onsite wastewater recycling technical committee; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.

This bill would require oil and gas operators in North Dakota to restore land disturbed by their activities (like well sites, pipelines, and facilities) as close as possible to its original condition before disturbance. Key provisions include mandating the preservation and documented use of suitable plant growth material from the site for reclamation, requiring a pre-disturbance meeting with the state commission to plan this, and needing commission approval before land disturbance begins. The commission could also waive reclamation requirements after decommissioning with proper documentation. The bill does not apply to properly reclaimed pits or abandoned pipelines.

SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.

Relating to the revocation of common carrier status of carbon dioxide transporters; and to repeal section 38‑22‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exercise of public domain in geological storage of carbon dioxide.

SB 2246 appropriates $49,500 from the general fund to the North Dakota Legislative Council for a one-time study on regenerative grazing. The bill directs a consultant to research the feasibility of creating a regenerative grazing ranch (focused on soil health and carbon absorption) and study how regenerative grazing practices affect carbon levels, rangeland productivity, and ranching sustainability. Key provisions require gathering scientific data, connecting ranchers with stakeholders, and identifying funding sources for carbon management practices. The study would involve input from the agriculture commissioner, mineral resources department, and ranching/energy industry stakeholders, with findings to be reported to the next legislative assembly. This bill does not create the ranch but examines whether it would benefit North Dakota's ranching and energy sectors.